A philatelic reference of five classic categories of investment, issued for educational study, 2026.
Fractional ownership of publicly traded companies. Historically the highest long-run average on this set, paired with the highest volatility. Returns from price appreciation and dividends.
Loans to a government or company that pay periodic interest. Lower volatility than equities, lower long-run average. Price moves inversely to interest rates. Credit quality varies by issuer.
Direct property ownership or indirect REIT exposure. Combines rental income with potential appreciation. Direct ownership is illiquid and high-ticket; REITs trade like stocks.
A tangible store of value with no underlying cash flows. Often discussed as an inflation hedge or diversifier. Long-run returns vary widely by period. Accessible via direct holding or ETF.
Bank deposits, money market funds, short-term Treasuries. Lowest nominal volatility on this set. Yield varies with central bank policy. Real purchasing power can erode if inflation outpaces rate.
"The five issues above are the foundation of nearly every modern portfolio. Most investors hold a mix, weighted to their own time horizon and tolerance for variability."
— Album Notes, 2026
* All figures are approximate long-run averages, nominal, before fees and taxes. Past performance is not predictive.
| Property | Stocks | Bonds | Real Est. | Gold | Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. No. | AC-001 | AC-002 | AC-003 | AC-004 | AC-005 |
| Hist. avg | ~10% | ~5% | ~8% | ~3-5% | ~4% |
| Volatility | High | Low-Mid | Mid | Mid-High | V.Low |
| Liquidity | High | High | Low (direct) | High (ETF) | Highest |
| Provides income | Dividends | Coupon | Rent | None | Interest |
| Inflation | Mixed | Hurt | Often helps | Often helps | Erodes real |
| Min commit. | V.Low | Low | High (direct) | Low (ETF) | None |
This album is issued strictly as a study aid. The five categories shown are widely held but they are not the only investment choices in the world, and the figures cited are rounded long-run averages drawn from public reporting.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. All asset classes carry risk and can lose value. Different classes carry different kinds of risk: volatility, credit, illiquidity, inflation, and geopolitical. Risk tolerance and time horizon vary by individual.
Before making any decisions about your own finances, consult a licensed financial advisor who can review your full situation. This is not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice.